Donald Spiller

Donald Wayne Spiller, longtime resident of Edwards and Sutton County passed away September 21, 2026 surrounded by his wife and his children. Don was a lifelong rancher, stockman, horseman and agriculture professional. However, his Christian faith, his wife Anita and his family were his greatest joys.

Don was born February 14, 1942, in Corpus Christi, Texas, to Travis Oliver Spiller and Ivy Broudus Spiller. In the early years his family lived in Katy, Texas at the Humble Oil Company Camp, and he loved telling stories of playing in the rice fields with the other children at the camp. Those families remained life-long friends. Hunting, fishing and adventures in the woods were also fond childhood memories. He loved to tell of taking his 22 rifle to go deer and squirrel hunting on his Grandad’s ranch in Wheelock when he was only 8 years old. From Katy the Spiller family moved to Mason, Vernon, Spearman, and finally settled in Bronte where Donald graduated from Bronte Highschool. While living in Bronte, Don bought his first horse and built a strong work ethic working on area ranches from Miles to Mertzon. After high school, he attended San Angelo College and Sul Ross State College graduating with a degree in Range Animal Science. It was at Sul Ross that he got to know the love of his life, Anita.

February 25th, 1967, Don married Anita Goodrich of Pecos, Texas. They began their married life at Fort Jackson, Alabama with the United States Army where they enjoyed Spring in the South, while he attended Chemical Corps Training. Very soon they were re-assigned to Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas. While at Bliss during the Vietnam War era he served as Company Commander in the United States Army Infantry, and as the pistol and rifle range instructor. After his Honorable Discharge he and Anita moved to Menard, Texas where Don worked for the Gene Whitehead Ranch.

While in Menard Don and Anita had two children; Descom (Decky) and April. From Menard they moved to Edwards County and Don began working for Texas A&M University’s Agricultural Research Station. Through the research he conducted on the ranch he was co-author on several scientific publications in the fields of range animal nutrition and livestock breeding. The stewardship of the livestock and the ranches under his care was his true passion. He continued to ranch his own land and raise livestock even in retirement. Don and Anita raised their family on the “Station” where the children enjoyed going with him to round up in the pastures and learned to care for the livestock. Don retired in 2001 after 26 years of dedicated service.

Another of Don’s passions was flying airplanes. Don used his GI Bill to earn his pilots license, instrument-rating and instructor certification. For several years he taught flying. Interestingly, he only accepted students that owned their own airplanes. He traded lessons for flight time in their planes. He loved flying!

He was extremely proud of his children and grandchildren. He delighted in teasing them and showing them “how to do” just about anything! Teaching them about ranching and the history of the people and places where he’d lived and traveled were a constant. Don loved to travel with Anita and dear friends and family. They saw the world going to places like Alaska, Hawaii, Mexico, Canada, Peru, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Egypt and Jordan. Those planned adventures were highlights of his retirement years.

Fellowshipping at First Baptist Church and in the Sonora community were sources of great joy and fulfillment. Don enjoyed cooking for Lions Club events and fundraisers, helping out friends and neighbors, and supporting those in his church community as deacon. Don routinely made visits to shut-ins and those in the hospital until his own health would not allow it. Don’s faith was strong and true and his hope was in the Lord. He lived his life with love and integrity with a sincere interest in those he met. Always teasing, joking and trying to bring out a smile.

Don was preceded in death by his parents Ivy and T.O. Spiller, and brothers William “Billy” Spiller, Edward “Eddy” Spiller and sister-in-law Janice “Sue” Spiller. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Anita Goodrich Spiller; son Descom Spiller, wife, Misti; and daughter, April Murden, husband, Blake; grandchildren Menzi Benton, husband, James; Chastain Spiller; McKenzi Parker, husband, Hunter; and Marshall Murden, wife, Madison; great-grandson, Liam Benton, and several nieces and nephews.

Memorials may be made to:

Sonora Ministerial Alliance, 111 East Oak Street, Sonora, Texas 76950

Sonora Downtown Lions Club, P.O. Box 822, Sonora, Texas 76950

The memorial service will be held on Friday, September 25, 2026, at 10:00am, at Frist Baptist Church in Sonora, TX.

Pall Bearers are Marshall Murden, Hunter Parker, James Benton, Kelly Spiller, Kevin Spiller, Barry Goodrich, and Decky Goodrich.

Honorary Pall Bearers are Butch Taylor, Randy Knight, Nick Garza, Terry Brooks, Benito Magana, Corey Norell, Preston Faris, and Duery Menzies.